Electronic equipment enclosure

ABSTRACT

An electronic equipment enclosure includes a frame structure and a customizable side air dam kit. The frame structure includes a front frame, a rear frame, front-to-back frame members connecting corners of the front and rear frames together, reinforced bracket structures located near ends of the cross members, and extruded horizontal mounting rails parallel to, but inward from, the front-to-back frame members. The ends of the horizontal mounting rails are connected to the reinforced bracket structures. Panels are installed in longitudinal slots in the front-to-back frame members and horizontal mounting rails, each of which is extruded. The customizable side air dam kit includes a framework of horizontal and vertical frame pieces, adapted to connect to the frame structure, and a customizable air dam panel supported by the framework. A plurality of the frame pieces are provided to an installer for use in constructing the framework to fit the specific frame structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a U.S. continuation patent application of,and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 16/511,608, filed Jul. 15, 2019 and entitled,“ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE,” which '608 application published asU.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2019/0343023 A1 on Nov. 7,2019 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,674,634 on Jun. 2, 2020, which '608application, the application publication thereof, and the patent issuingtherefrom are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety,and which '608 application is a U.S. continuation patent application of,and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/944,435, filed Apr. 3, 2018 and entitled,“ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE,” which '435 application published asU.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2018/0228056 A1 on Aug. 9,2018 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,356,951 on Jul. 16, 2019, which '435application, the application publication thereof, and the patent issuingtherefrom are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety,and which '435 application is a U.S. continuation patent application of,and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/406,872, filed Jan. 16, 2017 and entitled,“ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE,” which '872 application published asU.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2017/0127570 A1 on May 4,2017 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,949,406 on Apr. 17, 2018, which '872application, the application publication thereof, and the patent issuingtherefrom are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety,and which '872 application is a U.S. continuation patent application of,and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/726,548, filed May 31, 2015 and entitled,“ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE,” which '548 application published asU.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2015/0282390 A1 on Oct. 1,2015 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,549,487 on Jan. 17, 2017, which '548application, the application publication thereof, and the patent issuingtherefrom are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety,and which '548 application is a U.S. continuation patent application of,and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/574,273, filed Dec. 17, 2014 and entitled,“ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE,” which '273 application published asU.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2015/0173253 A1 on Jun. 18,2015 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,427 on May 24, 2016, which '273application, the application publication thereof, and the patent issuingtherefrom are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety,and which '273 application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent applicationof, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to, U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 61/917,347, filed Dec. 17, 2013 andentitled, “ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE,” which '347 application isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Field of the Present Invention

The present invention generally relates to air flow management within anelectronic equipment enclosure, and in particular to, a side-to-sideairflow control system to promote cooling of server equipment thatutilizes side-to-side airflow.

Background

Racks, frames, cabinets and the like for supporting computer and otherelectronic equipment are well known. Such support apparatuses are oftenpartially or fully enclosed, either directly through the use of doorsand panels mounted directly thereon, or indirectly by lining severalsuch apparatuses up in a row such that the sides of each rack areimmediately adjacent another rack.

As is also well known, the electronic equipment mounted therein tends togenerate large amounts of heat that need to be exhausted away from theequipment effectively in order to maintain the equipment in properoperating order or to prevent damage thereto. As equipment has becomemore densely packed with electronics, the quantities of heat havecontinued to increase in recent years. Heat management has thus become asignificant issue confronting today's rack, cabinet, frame and enclosuremanufacturers, the manufacturers of the electronic equipment, and theusers of such equipment.

Each piece of equipment is often enclosed within an individual chassisor housing that includes a location, typically referred to as an exhaustgrille, where air that has been circulated therethrough is exhausted.The heated air is frequently forced or forcibly drawn out of the variousactive pieces of equipment through exhaust grilles of the equipment byinternal fans, often supplemented by separate fans mounted in or on theenclosure. In many pieces of equipment, the exhaust grille is located onthe rear of the equipment, and the equipment is often cooled by bringingcool air to the front of the equipment and exhausted through the rear,often through a door or through exhaust openings in a panel. Otherequipment uses the opposite configuration, wherein cool air is broughtto the rear of the equipment and exhausted through the front; this maybe handled generally similarly as the rear exhaust except that the frontand rear of the cabinet are generally reversed.

However, other equipment is arranged to receive cold air from the sideand to exhaust heated air from the opposite side. For example, a commonpiece of electronic equipment in modern computer networks is a switch.Switches tend to generate a significant amount of heat, and thereforeare of particular concern in exhausting heat from an electronicequipment enclosure, and at least some are manufactured with inlets onone side and exhaust grilles on the other side. Such equipment requiresdifferent treatment than front/rear exhaust equipment.

Currently, in order to remove heated switch exhaust air from the side ofan electronic equipment enclosure, the switch exhaust grille is coupledwith or connected to an individual exhaust duct that is specificallydesigned and sized to fit the particular type of switch being used. Itis important that the switch grille and the exhaust duct inlet aresimilarly sized so that exhaust air is routed outside of the enclosurethrough the duct rather than being released into the interior of theenclosure where it would adversely affect the equipment stored therein.Because of the individual sizing, a different exhaust duct must be usedfor differently sized switches.

One solution has been presented in commonly-assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/123,453, filed May 19, 2008 and published Dec.25, 2008 as US 2008/0316702 A1 (the “'453 Application”), which isincorporated herein by reference. In particular, adjustable fillerpanels are disclosed for more precisely controlling airflow above andbelow side inlets and outlets in certain types of side-to-sideequipment. However, such an arrangement presents only a partialsolution. In particular, such an arrangement does not work well withexhaust ducts located at the top of the enclosure, particularly on thetop panel thereof.

One improved solution has been presented in U.S. Pat. No. 7,957,139,issued Jun. 7, 2011 to Davis et al, but other improvements are believedto be useful, including improvements related to greater customization,improved frame strength, convenience of construction, and the like.Thus, a more versatile, adjustable solution is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Broadly defined, the present invention according to one aspect is anelectronic equipment enclosure, including: a frame structure, the framestructure including a plurality of vertical frame members and aplurality of side-to-side cross members; a pair of front-to-back membersconstructed of extruded metal and connected to the frame structure at atop or bottom thereof, each front-to-back member including at least afirst longitudinal slot disposed in one of its lateral sides andextending along its length, wherein the respective lateral sides, inwhich the slots are disposed, face one another; and a generally planar,horizontal, partition structure having opposed edges that are receivedin, and supported by, the facing longitudinal slots in the extrudedfront-to-back members.

In a feature of this aspect, the partition structure is an enclosurepanel.

In another feature of this aspect, the partition structure is a brushassembly.

In another feature of this aspect, the partition structure is located atthe top thereof.

In another feature of this aspect, the partition structure is located atthe bottom thereof.

In another feature of this aspect, one of the front-to-back members is aframe member of the electronic equipment enclosure, and the other of thefront-to-back members is a horizontal mounting rail in the electronicequipment enclosure.

In another feature of this aspect, the front-to-back members are bothhorizontal mounting rails in the electronic equipment enclosure.

In another feature of this aspect, the opposed edges of the partitionstructure include reinforced portions, and wherein the reinforcedportions are received in the longitudinal slots.

In another feature of this aspect, each longitudinal slot has contoursthat retain the respective edge of the partition structure. In furtherfeatures, the longitudinal slot has a T-shaped cross-section; and/or thelongitudinal slot has an L-shaped cross-section.

In another feature of this aspect, one or more clip is inserted intoeach longitudinal slot, adjacent the respective edge of the partitionstructure, to retain the panel in the slot. In further features. theeach clip has edges and contours that interact with edges and contoursof the respective longitudinal slot to retain the panel in the slot;and/or each clip is adjustable between a retention state and a releasestate, and wherein each clip is biased into the retention state.

In another feature of this aspect, at least one of the front-to-backmembers further includes at least a second longitudinal slot disposed onthe lateral side opposite the lateral side in which the firstlongitudinal slot is disposed.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is ahorizontal panel assembly for use at the top or bottom of an electronicequipment enclosure, including: a pair of front-to-back membersconstructed of extruded metal, each including at least a firstlongitudinal slot disposed in one of its lateral sides and extendingalong its length, wherein the respective lateral sides, in which theslots are disposed, face one another; and a panel having opposed edgesthat are received in, and supported by, the facing longitudinal slots inthe extruded front-to-back members.

In a feature of this aspect, the panel assembly is disposed in the topor bottom of an electronic equipment enclosure. In further features, oneof the front-to-back members is a frame member of the electronicequipment enclosure, and the other of the front-to-back members is ahorizontal mounting rail in the electronic equipment enclosure; and/orthe front-to-back members are horizontal mounting rails in theelectronic equipment enclosure.

In another feature of this aspect, the opposed edges of the panelinclude reinforced portions, and wherein the reinforced portions arereceived in the longitudinal slots.

In another feature of this aspect, each longitudinal slot has contoursthat retain the respective edge of the panel. In further features, thelongitudinal slot has a T-shaped cross-section; and/or the longitudinalslot has an L-shaped cross-section.

In another feature of this aspect, a plurality of clips are insertedinto each longitudinal slot, adjacent the respective edge of the panel,to retain the panel in the slot. In further features, the clips haveedges and contours that interact with edges and contours of therespective longitudinal slot to retain the panel in the slot; and/oreach clip is adjustable between a retention state and a release state,and wherein each clip is biased into the retention state.

In another feature of this aspect, at least one of the front-to-backmembers further includes at least a second longitudinal slot disposed onthe lateral side opposite the lateral side in which the firstlongitudinal slot is disposed.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is anelectronic equipment enclosure, including: a front frame, including afirst pair of vertical frame members, a first upper side-to-side crossmember, and a first lower side-to-side cross member; a rear frame,including a second pair of vertical frame members, a second upperside-to-side cross member, and a second lower side-to-side cross member;a pair of front-to-back horizontal frame members, each front-to-backframe member constructed of extruded metal, connected to the front frameat the top thereof, and including at least a first longitudinal slotdisposed in one of its lateral sides and extending along its length; apair of front-to-back horizontal mounting rails, each mounting railconstructed of extruded metal, supported by the front and rear frames atthe top thereof, and including a second longitudinal slot disposed inone of its lateral sides and extending along its length, wherein thefront-to-back horizontal mounting rails and the front-to-back horizontalframe members are all parallel to each other and co-planar with eachother, and wherein each horizontal mounting rail faces a respectivehorizontal frame member such that the first longitudinal slot disposedin the lateral side of the horizontal frame member faces the secondlongitudinal slot disposed in the lateral side of the respectivehorizontal mounting rail; and a pair of partition structures, eachhaving opposed edges that are received in, and supported by, the facinglongitudinal slots in a respective combination of a front-to-backhorizontal mounting rail and a front-to-back horizontal frame member.

In a feature of this aspect, each partition structure is an enclosurepanel.

In another feature of this aspect, each partition structure is a brushassembly.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is ahorizontal panel assembly for use at the top or bottom of an electronicequipment enclosure, including: a front-to-back member constructed ofextruded metal, including at least a longitudinal slot, having asideways T-shaped cross-section, disposed in one of its lateral sidesand extending along its length; a horizontal enclosure panel having anedge that is positioned with the T-shaped longitudinal slot, wherein theedge has a sideways T-shaped cross-section that hooks over a portion ofthe T-shaped longitudinal slot; and a plurality of clips, each clipbeing inserted into the longitudinal slot, adjacent the edge of thepanel, to retain the panel in the slot.

In a feature of this aspect, the clips have edges and contours thatinteract with edges and contours of the respective longitudinal slot toretain the panel in the slot.

In another feature of this aspect, each clip is adjustable between aretention state and a release state, and wherein each clip is biasedinto the retention state.

In another feature of this aspect, each clip includes a first portionthat hooks over an edge of the T-shaped edge of the panel, a secondportion that is disposed against the side of the T-shaped edge of thepanel, and a resilient third portion that may be temporarily deflectedto seat the clip within the slot. In further features, each clip furtherincludes a fourth portion abutting the outside of the slot; and/or eachclip further includes a distinct fifth portion abutting the inside ofthe slot.

In another feature of this aspect, the clip is made of plastic.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is aframe structure for an electronic equipment enclosure, including: afront frame, including a first pair of vertical frame members, a firstupper side-to-side cross member, and a first lower side-to-side crossmember; a rear frame, including a second pair of vertical frame members,a second upper side-to-side cross member, and a second lowerside-to-side cross member; a pair of front-to-back horizontal framemembers connecting upper corners of the front and rear frames together;a pair of front-to-back horizontal frame members connecting lowercorners of the front and rear frames together; a first reinforcedbracket structure located near a first end of each respective upper andlower side-to-side cross member; a second reinforced bracket structurelocated near a second, opposite, end of each respective upper and lowerside-to-side cross member; a first front-to-back horizontal mountingrail connected at a first end to the reinforced bracket structure nearthe first end of the lower front side-to-side cross member and at asecond end to the reinforced bracket structure near the first end of thelower rear side-to-side cross member such that the first extrudedhorizontal mounting rail is adjacent to, but inward from, a firstfront-to-back horizontal frame member; a second front-to-back horizontalmounting rail connected at a first end to the reinforced bracketstructure near the second end of the lower front side-to-side crossmember and at a second end to the reinforced bracket structure near thesecond end of the lower rear side-to-side cross member such that thesecond extruded horizontal mounting rail is adjacent to, but inwardfrom, a second front-to-back horizontal frame member; a thirdfront-to-back horizontal mounting rail connected at a first end to thereinforced bracket structure near the first end of the upper frontside-to-side cross member and at a second end to the reinforced bracketstructure near the first end of the upper rear side-to-side cross membersuch that the third extruded horizontal mounting rail is adjacent to,but inward from, a third front-to-back horizontal frame member; and afourth front-to-back horizontal mounting rail connected at a first endto the reinforced bracket structure near the second end of the upperfront side-to-side cross member and at a second end to the reinforcedbracket structure near the second end of the upper rear side-to-sidecross member such that the fourth extruded horizontal mounting rail isadjacent to, but inward from, a fourth front-to-back horizontal framemember; wherein the first, second, third, and fourth front-to-backhorizontal mounting rails are made of extruded metal.

In a feature of this aspect, each reinforced bracket structure includesa tab extending vertically and integrally from the respectiveside-to-side cross member and interconnected to the end of therespective horizontal mounting rail. In further features, eachreinforced bracket structure further includes a brace structure, havinga U-shaped cross-section, which includes a first vertical portion thatis interconnected to the end of the respective horizontal mounting railand a pair of side vertical portions that brace the first verticalportion against the respective side-to-side cross member; each sidevertical portion of the brace structure includes a tab that resides in aslot in the respective side-to-side cross member; the first verticalportion of the brace structure is disposed between the tab and the endof the respective horizontal mounting rail; the tab and the bracestructure of each reinforced bracket structure are fastened to the endof the respective horizontal mounting rail via a fastener connected to acylindrical slot that is part of the extrusion of the horizontalmounting rail; and/or each reinforced bracket structure further includesa cover disposed around the brace structure.

In another feature of this aspect, each reinforced bracket structureincludes a brace structure, having a U-shaped cross-section, whichincludes a first vertical portion that is interconnected to the end ofthe respective horizontal mounting rail and a pair of side verticalportions that brace the first vertical portion against the respectiveside-to-side cross member. In further features, each side verticalportion of the brace structure includes a tab that resides in a slot inthe respective side-to-side cross member; and/or the frame structurefurther includes cover disposed around the brace structure.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is acustomizable side air dam kit, including: a framework of horizontal andvertical frame pieces adapted to connect to the frame structure of anelectronic equipment enclosure; and a customizable air dam panelconnected to, and supported by, the framework; wherein a plurality ofhorizontal and vertical frame pieces are provided to an installer foruse in constructing the framework to fit the specific frame structure ofa particular electronic equipment enclosure.

In a feature of this aspect, the horizontal and vertical frame piecesare partially cut or scored so as to be cut or broken by the installerto desired lengths. In further features, the cuts or scores are disposedat uniform incremental locations along the horizontal and vertical framepieces; the vertical frame pieces are cut or scored at 1 RMU increments;the horizontal frame pieces are cut or scored at 25 mm increments;and/or the customizable air dam panel is partially cut or scored so asto be cut or broken by the installer to desired size.

In another feature of this aspect, the customizable air dam panelincludes pre-cut apertures that may be punched out at desired locations.In a further feature, the pre-cut apertures are provided at uniformspacings.

In another feature of this aspect, the kit is customized and installedin an electronic equipment enclosure. In further features, the kit isinstalled along a side of the electronic equipment enclosure so as to atleast partially define a side plenum adjacent electronic equipmentinstalled in the enclosure and to block air from flowing over or underthe equipment and into or out of the side plenum; the customizable sideair dam kit further includes a rear panel assembly extending rearwardfrom the electronic equipment installed in the enclosure to block airfrom flowing into or out of a rear plenum from or to the side plenum;the rear panel assembly includes a fixed rear panel; the rear panelassembly further includes an adjustable rear panel that may berepositioned relative to the fixed rear panel so as to provideadjustability in the size of the rear panel assembly; and/or the rearpanel assembly further includes a filler panel.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is anelectronic equipment enclosure with a customizable side air dam,including: a frame structure, including: a front frame, including afirst pair of vertical frame members, a first upper side-to-side crossmember, and a first lower side-to-side cross member, a rear frame,including a second pair of vertical frame members, a second upperside-to-side cross member, and a second lower side-to-side cross member,a pair of front-to-back horizontal frame members connecting uppercorners of the front and rear frames together, a pair of front-to-backhorizontal frame members connecting lower corners of the front and rearframes together; and a customizable side air dam kit, including: aplurality of horizontal and vertical frame pieces adapted to connect tothe frame structure to form a side air dam framework, and a customizableair dam panel connected to, and supported by, the framework, wherein theplurality of horizontal and vertical frame pieces are provided to aninstaller for use in constructing the framework to fit the specificframe structure of a particular electronic equipment enclosure.

In a feature of this aspect, the horizontal and vertical frame piecesare partially cut or scored so as to be cut or broken by the installerto desired lengths. In further features, the cuts or scores are disposedat uniform incremental locations along the horizontal and vertical framepieces; the vertical frame pieces are cut or scored at 1 RMU increments;the horizontal frame pieces are cut or scored at 25 mm increments;and/or the customizable air dam panel is partially cut or scored so asto be cut or broken by the installer to desired sizes.

In another feature of this aspect, the customizable air dam panelincludes pre-cut apertures that may be punched out at desired locations.In a further feature, the pre-cut apertures are provided at uniformspacings.

In another feature of this aspect, the kit is customized and installedin the electronic equipment enclosure. In further features, the kit isinstalled along a side of the electronic equipment enclosure so as to atleast partially define a side plenum adjacent electronic equipmentinstalled in the enclosure and to block air from flowing over or underthe equipment and into or out of the side plenum; the electronicequipment enclosure further includes a rear panel assembly extendingrearward from the electronic equipment installed in the enclosure toblock air from flowing into or out of a rear plenum from or to the sideplenum; the rear panel assembly includes a fixed rear panel; the rearpanel assembly further includes an adjustable rear panel that may berepositioned relative to the fixed rear panel so as to provideadjustability in the size of the rear panel assembly; and/or the rearpanel assembly further includes a filler panel.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is apanel assembly for use in a top or bottom panel assembly of anelectronic equipment enclosure, including: a pair of front-to-backmembers constructed of extruded metal, each including at least onelongitudinal slot extending along its length; and a panel having opposededges that are received in, and supported by, the longitudinal slots inthe extruded front-to-back members.

In a feature of this aspect, the panel assembly is disposed in the topor bottom of an electronic equipment enclosure. In further features, oneof the front-to-back members is a frame member of the electronicequipment enclosure, and the other of the front-to-back members is ahorizontal mounting rail in the electronic equipment enclosure; and/orthe front-to-back members are horizontal mounting rails in theelectronic equipment enclosure.

In another feature of this aspect, the opposed edges of the panel arereinforced, and wherein the reinforced portions are received in thelongitudinal slots.

In another feature of this aspect, a plurality of clips are insertedinto each longitudinal slot, adjacent the edge of the panel, to retainthe panel in the slot. In a further feature, the clips have edges andcontours that interact with edges and contours of the respectivelongitudinal slot to retain the panel in the slot.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is apanel assembly as shown and described.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is anelectronic equipment enclosure having a top or bottom panel assembly asshown and described.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is aclip for a panel assembly as shown and described.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is anelectronic equipment enclosure system as shown and described.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is aframe structure for an electronic equipment enclosure as shown anddescribed.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is aframe structure for an electronic equipment enclosure, including: afront frame, including two vertical frame members and two cross membersconnecting tops and bottoms of the vertical frame members together; arear frame, including two vertical frame members and two cross membersconnecting tops and bottoms of the vertical frame members together;front-to-back frame members connecting corners of the front and rearframes together; reinforced bracket structures located near ends of thecross members; and extruded horizontal mounting rails parallel to, butinward from, the front-to-back frame members; wherein ends of thehorizontal mounting rails are connected to the reinforced bracketstructures.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is aframe cross member having a reinforced bracket structure near each endfor connecting to a horizontal mounting rail.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is acustomizable side air dam kit, including: a framework of horizontal andvertical frame pieces adapted to connect to the frame structure of anelectronic equipment enclosure; and a customizable air dam panelconnected to, and supported by, the framework; wherein a plurality ofhorizontal and vertical frame pieces are provided to an installer foruse in constructing the framework to fit the specific frame structure ofa particular electronic equipment enclosure.

In a feature of this aspect, the horizontal and vertical frame piecesare partially cut or scored so as to be cut or broken by the installerto desired lengths.

In another feature of this aspect, the cuts or scores are disposed atuniform incremental locations along the horizontal and vertical framepieces. In further features, the vertical frame pieces are cut or scoredat 1 RMU increments; and/or the horizontal frame pieces are cut orscored at 25 mm increments.

In another feature of this aspect, the customizable air dam panel ispartially cut or scored so as to be cut or broken by the installer todesired sizes.

In another feature of this aspect, the customizable air dam panelincludes pre-cut apertures that may be punched out at desired locations.In a further feature, the pre-cut apertures are provided at uniformspacings.

In another feature of this aspect, the kit is customized and installedin an electronic equipment enclosure. In further features, the kit isinstalled along a side of the electronic equipment enclosure so as to atleast partially define a side plenum adjacent electronic equipmentinstalled in the enclosure and to block air from flowing over or underthe equipment and into or out of the side plenum; the kit furtherincludes a rear panel assembly extending rearward from the electronicequipment installed in the enclosure to block air from flowing into orout of a rear plenum from or to the side plenum; the rear panel assemblyincludes a fixed rear panel; the rear panel assembly further includes anadjustable rear panel that may be repositioned relative to the fixedrear panel so as to provide adjustability in the size of the rear panelassembly; and/or the rear panel assembly further includes a fillerpanel.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, embodiments, and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description withreference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an electronic equipment enclosure systemin accordance with one or more preferred embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the electronic equipment enclosure systemof FIG. 1, shown with the door panels and side panels removed;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the frame structure and mounting rails ofthe electronic equipment enclosure system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of one of the front-to-back panels of FIGS. 1 and2 installed between a horizontal mounting rail and a front-to-back framemember;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a clip of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the front-to-backpanel and clip installed in a slot in the front-to-back frame member ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an end view of a split brush assembly installed between ahorizontal mounting rail and a front-to-back frame member;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of a front lower leftcorner of the frame structure and mounting rails of the electronicequipment enclosure system of FIG. 3, taken along line 8-8;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary exploded isometric view of the front lower leftcorner of the frame structure and mounting rails of the electronicequipment enclosure system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the side air dam kit as implemented inFIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view of a lower portion ofthe electronic equipment enclosure system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a front orthogonal view of a frame structure and mountingrails similar to that of FIG. 3, but shown with side-breathingelectronic equipment and portions of the side air dam kit installedtherein;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the adjustable rear panel of the rearair dam of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the rear filler panel of the rear airdam of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the fixed rear panel of the rear air damof FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is a top cross-sectional view of the frame structure, mountingrails, side-breathing electronic equipment, and side air dam kit of FIG.12;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are enlarged fragmentary portions of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the electronic equipment enclosuresystem of FIG. 2, shown with the customizable air dam panels removed soas to illustrate the air dam framework built using horizontal andvertical air dam frame pieces;

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a horizontal air dam frame piece of atype used in the side air dam kit of FIG. 10;

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of another horizontal air dam frame pieceof a type used in the side air dam kit of FIG. 10;

FIG. 22 is an isometric view of a vertical air dam frame piece of a typeused in the side air dam kit of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 23A-23D are a series of perspective views illustrating a processof cutting a frame piece;

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of one of the customizable air dam panelsof FIG. 10; and

FIG. 25 is a top cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 16,showing the flow of air therethrough.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodimentdiscussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be partof a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention.Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrativepurposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the presentinvention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate onlyone or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention andmay further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosedfeatures. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations,modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosedby the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of thepresent invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention,which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded thepresent invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitationfound herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theappended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6, no claim element isintended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unlessthe explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in suchclaim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to applyin the interpretation of such claim element.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers,” “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese,” and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent likecomponents throughout the several views, one or more preferredembodiments of the present invention are next described. The followingdescription of one or more preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplaryin nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, itsapplication, or uses.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an electronic equipment enclosure system10 in accordance with one or more preferred embodiments of the presentinvention; and FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the electronic equipmentenclosure system 10 of FIG. 1, shown with the door panels and sidepanels removed. As shown therein, the enclosure system 10 includes afour post frame structure 14 supporting a front panel assembly 16, arear panel assembly 18, a pair of side panel assemblies 20, a top panelassembly 21, a bottom panel assembly 19, and a vertical exhaust ductassembly 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the front panel assembly 16and the rear panel assembly 18 are each implemented as a pair of hingeddoors; the side panel assemblies 20 are each implemented as upper andlower panels; the top panel assembly includes a center panel 23 and twofront-to-back panels 22; and the bottom panel assembly 19 includes afront center panel 23, a rear center panel 24, and two front-to-backpanels 22. However, it will be appreciated that various replacementcomponents may be substituted for the components of the enclosuresystem, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Forexample, at least one alternative top panel assembly 21 is disclosed incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,957,139, issued Jun. 7, 2011 to Daviset al, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The vertical exhaust duct assembly 15 exhausts heated air from a rearplenum in the rear of the enclosure. In at least some embodiments, thevertical exhaust duct assembly 15 includes two telescoping duct sections101,102 and uses flexible seals 103,104 between the two telescoping ductsections and at the top of the upper duct section 102 to minimizeleakage of heated exhaust air from the vertical exhaust duct assembly15. Vertical exhaust duct assemblies are likewise disclosed in theaforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 7,957,139 and in commonly-assigned U.S.Pat. No. 7,804,685, issued Sep. 28, 2010 to William Krietzman, theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

One or more side rail air dams 30 may also be provided to block orotherwise control air between a front or rear plenum of the enclosureand a side plenum. Side rail air dams, and seals for such air dams, aredescribed in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/229,706, filed Sep. 10, 2011 and published Mar. 15, 2012 as U.S.Patent Pub. No. 2012/0063099 A1 (the “'706 Application”), the entiretyof which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the frame structure 14 and mounting rails35,39 of the electronic equipment enclosure system 10 of FIG. 2. Asshown therein, the frame structure 14 includes a front frame and a rearframe connected by upper and lower front-to-back members 33. The frontframe and rear frame each include a pair of vertical members 27 andupper and lower cross members 29. In at least some embodiments, thefront and rear frames are constructed from steel members, and thefront-to-back members 33 are constructed of extruded aluminum.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting rails include fourhorizontal mounting rails 35 connected between the front and rear framesand a plurality of vertical mounting rails 39 supported by thehorizontal mounting rails 35. As shown, the horizontal mounting rails 35are constructed of extruded aluminum and include lengthwise slotsadapted to retain fastener heads, nuts for receiving fasteners, or thelike, wherein the fasteners are used to connect the vertical mountingrails 39 to the horizontal mounting rails 35. Each vertical mountingrail 39 is constructed of a length of steel or aluminum that includes aseries of evenly-spaced mounting apertures 105, which may or may not bethreaded, extending along substantially its entire length, for use inmounting electronic components, peripheral devices, cable brackets,additional mounting members, or the like thereto. However, in at leastsome embodiments, each horizontal mounting rail 35 may be a length ofsteel or aluminum that includes a series of evenly-spaced, threadedmounting apertures, extending along substantially its entire length, andin at least some embodiments, each vertical mounting rail 39 may be anextrusion that includes one or more lengthwise slots. In someembodiments, one or more series of apertures may be a series of threadedapertures.

In some embodiments of an electronic equipment enclosure system 10having a side-to-side airflow control system, the frame structure 14 maymake use of offset brackets to support front panels, rear panels, sidepanels, top panels, and/or bottom panels. Offset brackets are disclosedin the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 7,957,139 and in commonly-assignedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/837,537, filed Aug. 12, 2007 andpublished Feb. 14, 2008 as U.S. Patent Pub. No. US 2008/0035810 A1 (the“'537 Application”), the entirety of which is incorporated herein byreference.

The panels of the top and bottom panel assemblies 21,19 may beimplemented in a variety of ways, some of which may be conventional andsome of which may be novel. In this regard, FIG. 4 is an end view of oneof the front-to-back panels 22 of FIGS. 1 and 2 installed between ahorizontal mounting rail 35 and a front-to-back frame member 33. Asshown therein, the construction of the front-to-back panels 22 includesa reinforced portion 106 along its edge. In at least some embodiments,the reinforced portions 106 are T-shaped. Each of the horizontalmounting rail 35 and the front-to-back frame member 33, which are bothof extruded construction, includes, as one of its longitudinal slots, arespective slot 120,121 for receiving one of those reinforced edges 106.In at least some embodiments, the slots 120,121 have contours thatretain the panels 22 therein. In at least some of these embodiments, theslots 120,121 are T-shaped, while in others, the slots may be L-shaped.One or more clips 107 may be pressed into the slot 120,121 next to theedge of the panel 22, thereby pinning it there. An isometric view ofsuch a clip 107 is shown in FIG. 5. Edges and contours of the clip 107interact with corresponding edges and contours in the slot 120,121. Inthis regard, FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of thefront-to-back panel 22 and clip 107 installed in a slot 120 in thefront-to-back frame member 33 of FIG. 4. In particular, the clip 107includes a first portion 171 that hooks over an edge of the reinforcedportion 106 of the panel 22, a second portion 172 that is disposedagainst the side of the reinforced portion 106, and one or moreresilient third portion 173 that may be temporarily deflected to seatthe clip 107 within a slot 120,121. Fourth and fifth portions 174,175may also be included to provide a more stable fit by abutting varioussurfaces on the outside or inside of the slot 120,121.

The illustrated panels 22 are simple solid panels with reinforced edges.It will be appreciated that other partition structures may likewise beinstalled between horizontal mounting rail 35 and a front-to-back framemember 33. For example, FIG. 7 is an end view of a split brush assembly108 installed between a horizontal mounting rail 35 and a front-to-backframe member 33. Other partition structures may include panels withlouvers, panels with slide openings, perforated panels, or the like.Other slots in the horizontal mounting rail 35 and front-to-back framemember 33 of FIGS. 4 and 7 include slots 162 for receiving andsupporting the top or bottom center panels 23, slots 162,163 forreceiving the caster assembly 113 (described elsewhere herein), andvarious slots 164 for receiving air dam panels and other accessories.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, a novelstructure may be utilized for connecting the horizontal mounting rails35 to the front and rear frames. In this regard, FIG. 8 is a fragmentaryside cross-sectional view of a front lower left corner of the framestructure 14 and mounting rails 35,39 of the electronic equipmentenclosure system 10 of FIG. 3, taken along line 8-8; and FIG. 9 is afragmentary exploded isometric view of the front lower left corner ofthe frame structure 14 and mounting rails 35,39 of the electronicequipment enclosure system 10 of FIG. 3. As shown therein, the verticalmounting rails 39 are connected by a fastener to one or more of thelongitudinal slots 162 in the horizontal mounting rails 35, and thehorizontal mounting rails 35 are connected to the frame cross members29. To facilitate this, the cross member 29, which has a generallyC-shaped cross-section, includes an upright tab 42 which extends upwardinto a brace structure 44, and fasteners 109 extend through apertures116 in the upright tab 42, corresponding apertures (not shown) in thebrace structure 44, and into cylindrical receptacles 165 (shown in FIG.4) in the end of the extruded horizontal mounting rail 35. A cover 110fits over the brace structure 44 and upright tab 42.

In addition, a corner reinforcement plate 111 is disposed below andgenerally within each end of the cross member 29. The cornerreinforcement plate 111 includes positioning tabs 112, against andbetween which the upright tab 42 extends, as well as an upright gusset117, located at the end of the plate 111, which is connected to thevertical frame member 27 at that corner via fasteners 115 that extendthrough apertures and into cylindrical receptacles 166 (shown in FIG. 4)in the end of the front-to-back frame member 33 there. The cornerreinforcement plate 111 also includes a pair of slots 119 for receivingtabs 118 located on the bottom of the brace structure 44.

A caster assembly 113 may be located at each corner and includes acaster plate 114 that is connected between the front-to-back framemember 33 and the horizontal mounting rail 35. The caster plate 114 alsoincludes a slot tab 135 that receives a corresponding lock tab 136extending downward from the corner reinforcement plate 111.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the side air dam kit 60 as implementedin FIG. 2. As shown therein, the side air dam kit 60 includescustomizable air dam panels 62, one or more rear panels 76,78,82, andhorizontal and vertical frame pieces 64,66,68,72. The rear panels76,78,82 are used to create an air dam to the rear of equipment 140installed in the enclosure 10. In this regard, FIG. 11 is an enlargedfragmentary isometric view of a lower portion of the electronicequipment enclosure system 10 of FIG. 2, and FIG. 12 is a frontorthogonal view of a frame structure 14 and mounting rails similar tothat of FIG. 3, but shown with side-breathing electronic equipment 140and portions of the side air dam kit 60 installed therein. The rearpanels 76,78,82 may be designed and installed in a fixed location ortheir position may be adjustable. In at least some embodiments,including the illustrated embodiments, the rear panels include a fixedrear panel 82, an adjustable rear panel 78, and a rear filler panel 76.In this regard, FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the adjustable rearpanel 78 of the rear air dam of FIG. 10; FIG. 14 is an isometric view ofthe rear filler panel 76 of the rear air dam of FIG. 10; and FIG. 15 isan isometric view of the fixed rear panel 82 of the rear air dam of FIG.10. Each of the rear panels 76,78,82 is sized so as to extendsubstantially the entire height of the interior of the enclosure 10.Different heights may be provided for use in enclosures of differentheights, and different depths (front to back) may be provided forenclosures having different depths.

FIG. 16 is a top cross-sectional view of the frame structure 14,mounting rails 35,39, side-breathing electronic equipment 140, and sideair dam kit 60 of FIG. 12. As shown in FIGS. 3, 11, 12, and 16, theelectronic equipment 140 is supported by four vertical mounting rails 39which in turn are supported by the horizontal mounting rails 35. In atleast some embodiments, the adjustable rear panel 78 is connected to, orat least abuts against, the rearmost vertical mounting rail 39, and avertical frame piece 64 is connected to, or at least abuts against, thefrontmost vertical mounting rail 39. These are shown in FIGS. 17 and 18,which are enlarged fragmentary portions of FIG. 16. Furthermore, arespective intake extrusion seal 141 may be mounted along an edge ofeach of the front vertical frame piece 64 and the vertical frame piece84 of the adjustable rear panel 78.

The fixed rear panel 82 may be installed at the rear of the enclosure10. In at least some embodiments, the fixed rear panel 82 includesgeometry that matches the geometry of the rear panel assembly 18 and anyother structures that may be located there so as to close anysignificant air gaps that may otherwise exist. For example, theillustrated fixed rear panel 82 includes upper and lower angled portions83 that fit under or over, respectively, the brace structures 44,including their covers 110, that connect the horizontal mounting rails35 to the frame structure 14. The adjustable rear panel 78 is positionedat least partially forward of the fixed rear panel 82 so as to extendfrom the rear of electronic equipment installed in the enclosure 10. Insome embodiments, the adjustable rear panel 78 extends from the rear ofthe electronic equipment and overlaps the fixed rear panel 82, while inother embodiments, the filler panel 76 is installed so as to abut therear of the adjustable rear panel 78, and the filler panel 76 overlapsthe fixed rear panel 82. In other words, in at least some embodiments,the filler panel 76 is only utilized when the adjustable panel 78 andfixed panel 82 do not overlap each other.

The various frame pieces 64,66,68,72,84 are used to build a frameworkthat can be selectively covered with a customizable air dam layer usingportions or entire sheets of the customizable air dam panels 62. In thisregard, FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the electronic equipmentenclosure system 10 of FIG. 2, shown with the customizable air dampanels 62 removed so as to illustrate the air dam framework built usinghorizontal and vertical air dam frame pieces 64,66,68,72,84 while analternative framework can be seen in FIG. 12. In at least someembodiments, the framework is customized by an installer to includerectangular framed openings around the air intake openings of theelectronic equipment that is installed, or is to be installed, in theenclosure, and additional frame pieces are added as necessary to supportthose framed openings and to support larger pieces of air dam panels 62.Horizontal frame pieces 68,72 may have different geometries, and in atleast some embodiments, horizontal frame pieces of different geometriesare used. In this regard, FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a horizontalair dam frame piece 68 of a type used in the side air dam kit 60 of FIG.10, and FIG. 21 is an isometric view of another horizontal air dam framepiece 72 of a type used in the side air dam kit 60 of FIG. 10. Thehorizontal frame piece 72 of FIG. 21 may be preferred for installationat the top or bottom of the large opening to the left of the rear panels76,78,82 in FIG. 19 because they can be attached directly to thefront-to-back members 33, while the horizontal frame piece 68 of FIG. 8may be preferred for installation at intermediate heights between thetop and bottom of the large opening. Likewise, vertical frame pieces64,66,84 may have different geometries, and in at least someembodiments, vertical frame pieces of different geometries are used. Inthis regard, FIG. 22 is an isometric view of a vertical air dam framepiece 66 of a type used in the side air dam kit 60 of FIG. 10.Furthermore, in at least some embodiments, including illustratedembodiments, the adjustable rear panel 78 includes an integrated framepiece 84.

At least some of the frame pieces, such as the frame pieces 66,68,72 ofFIGS. 20-22, are laser cut or otherwise manufactured to enable them tobe easily cut, snapped, or otherwise broken so as to shorten theiroverall length. In at least some embodiments, the cuts are at uniformincremental spacings, such as at 25 mm for horizontal frame pieces and 1RMU for vertical frame pieces. A process of cutting a frame piece isillustrated in FIGS. 23A-23D, wherein the frame piece 66 is held and acutting tool 99 used to break first one side and then the other of anincremental portion of the frame piece 66, and then the correspondingcenter portion is broken and the incremental portion of the frame piece66 is removed. Thus, by supplying a quantity of standardized lengths ofhorizontal and vertical frame pieces, an installer is enabled to createcustomized frameworks by cutting the frame pieces to their desiredlengths. For example, in FIG. 19, a plurality of horizontal frame pieces68 of the original length shown in FIG. 20 have been shortened to spanthe distance between the vertical frame piece on the left of the largeopening and the integrated vertical frame piece 84 on the right of theopening. Similarly, a vertical frame piece 66 of the original lengthshown in FIG. 22 has been separated and shortened and installed betweentwo of the horizontal frame pieces 68 in that opening so as to frame astill smaller rectangle. An alternative arrangement of vertical andhorizontal and vertical frame pieces 68,66 have been installed in thelarge opening to the left of the rear panels 76,78,82 in FIG. 12.

With the framework constructed, one or more customizable air dam panels62 are used to cover all of the framework except the desired openings.FIG. 24 is an isometric view of one of the customizable air dam panels62 of FIG. 10, while FIG. 2 illustrates the placement of a plurality ofair dam panels like that of FIG. 10 on the framework of FIG. 19.Individual air dam panels 62 may be used in their entirety, or may beseparated into customized portions, as desired. In some embodiments, thepanels 62 may be scored into incremental sections. In at least some ofthese embodiments, the spacings are similar to those used for thehorizontal and vertical frame pieces. Overall, each air dam panel 62 maybe cut to length and height, and may be fastened to frame pieces of theframework via apertures penetrating therethrough. In some embodiments,pre-cut apertures may be provided so as to be punched out at desiredlocations; such openings may likewise be provided at uniform spacings.

The side air dam kit 60 is used to segregate cool supply air and heatedexhaust air within an enclosure 10. For example, FIG. 25 is a topcross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 16, showing the flow of airtherethrough. In the illustrated embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 and25, cool supply air enters a front plenum 150 of the enclosure throughperforations in the front panel assembly 16 and also enters a sideplenum 152 of the enclosure 10 through perforations along one side oredge of the rear panel assembly 18. However, it will be appreciated thatcool supply air could alternatively enter only through the front or therear but not both. In the front plenum 150 of the enclosure, air isblocked from flowing along the left side of the equipment by the siderail air dam 30, while panels (not shown) above and below the equipmentblock air from passing over or under the equipment. The air from thefront plenum 150 thus flows into the right side plenum 152 where itjoins the air entering from the rear. Customized air dam panels 62 (notshown in FIG. 12) prevent cool supply air from flowing over or under theequipment from the right side plenum. The cool supply air passes throughthe equipment and gathers in a plenum 154 on the left side of theenclosure before flowing to a rear plenum 156 and then upward through avertical exhaust duct assembly 15 such as that of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Based on the foregoing information, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention issusceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments andadaptations of the present invention other than those specificallydescribed herein, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggestedby the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, withoutdeparting from the substance or scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements; the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is: 1: A method of forming a side air dam for anelectronic equipment installation, comprising: (a) providing anelectronic equipment enclosure comprising a four-post frame structureand a plurality of panels supported by the frame structure so as todefine an interior, wherein, (i) the four-post frame structure includesa front frame, a rear frame, and at least four front-to-back horizontalframe members, the front frame and rear frame each including a pair ofvertical frame members and two side-to-side cross members, and thefront-to-back horizontal frame members connecting the front and rearframes together, (ii) the plurality of panels includes side panels, eachside panel being disposed on a side of the electronic equipmentenclosure, and (iii) at least one unit of side-breathing electronicequipment is installed in the electronic equipment enclosure, the atleast one unit of side-breathing electronic equipment having a ductopening facing a side of the electronic equipment enclosure; (b) framingthe duct opening with a plurality of interconnected horizontal andvertical frame pieces, thereby forming a side air dam frameworksupported by the frame structure; and (c) mounting one or morecustomizable air dam panels to the side air dam framework such that atop-to-bottom partition is created immediately adjacent theside-breathing electronic equipment except for the framed duct opening,wherein the top-to-bottom partition is parallel to, but inwardly offsetfrom, the adjacent side panel of the electronic equipment enclosure suchthat a side plenum is created between the top-to-bottom partition andthe adjacent side panel, and wherein the top-to-bottom partition blocksair from flowing over or under the side-breathing electronic equipmentand then into the side plenum or air from flowing out of the side plenumand then over or under the side-breathing electronic equipment. 2: Themethod of claim 1, wherein the horizontal and vertical frame pieces arepartially cut or scored. 3: The method of claim 2, wherein thehorizontal and vertical frame pieces are cut or scored at uniformincremental locations along the horizontal and vertical frame pieces. 4:The method of claim 3, further comprising cutting or breaking thehorizontal and vertical frame pieces at one or more of the uniformincremental locations to desired lengths. 5: The method of claim 3,wherein the vertical frame pieces are cut or scored at 1 RMU increments.6: The method of claim 3, wherein the horizontal frame pieces are cut orscored at 25 mm increments. 7: The method of claim 1, wherein eachcustomizable air dam panel is partially cut or scored at locations. 8:The method of claim 7, further comprising cutting or breaking eachcustomizable air dam panel at one or more of the locations to desiredsizes. 9: The method of claim 7, wherein each customizable air dam panelis a single flat sheet of material. 10: The method of claim 1, whereineach customizable air dam panel includes pre-cut apertures that may bepunched out at desired locations. 11: The method of claim 10, whereinthe pre-cut apertures are provided at uniform spacings. 12: The methodof claim 10, wherein each customizable air dam panel is a single flatsheet of material. 13: The method of claim 1, wherein each of thehorizontal and vertical frame pieces has a substantially uniformcross-section other than at locations where each is cut or scored. 14:The method of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the cross-sectionof each of the horizontal and vertical frame pieces is U-shaped. 15: Amethod of forming a side air dam for an electronic equipmentinstallation, comprising: (a) providing an electronic equipmentenclosure comprising a four-post frame structure and a plurality ofpanels supported by the frame structure so as to define an interior,wherein, (i) the four-post frame structure includes a front frame, arear frame, and at least four front-to-back horizontal frame members,the front frame and rear frame each including a pair of vertical framemembers and two side-to-side cross members, and the front-to-backhorizontal frame members connecting the front and rear frames together,(ii) the plurality of panels includes side panels, each side panel beingdisposed on a side of the electronic equipment enclosure, and (iii) atleast one unit of side-breathing electronic equipment is installed inthe electronic equipment enclosure, the at least one unit ofside-breathing electronic equipment having a duct opening facing a sideof the electronic equipment enclosure; (b) framing the duct opening witha plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical frame pieces,thereby forming a side air dam framework supported by the framestructure, wherein at least a portion of the side air dam frameworkframes the duct opening; and (c) mounting one or more customizable airdam panels to the side air dam framework such that a top-to-bottompartition is created immediately adjacent the side-breathing electronicequipment except for the framed duct opening, wherein the top-to-bottompartition is parallel to, but inwardly offset from, the adjacent sidepanel of the electronic equipment enclosure such that a side plenum iscreated between the top-to-bottom partition and the adjacent side panel.16: The method of claim 15, wherein the horizontal and vertical framepieces are cut or scored at uniform incremental locations along thehorizontal and vertical frame pieces. 17: The method of claim 16,further comprising cutting or breaking the horizontal and vertical framepieces at one or more of the uniform incremental locations to desiredlengths. 18: The method of claim 15, wherein each customizable air dampanel is partially cut or scored at locations. 19: The method of claim18, further comprising cutting or breaking each customizable air dampanel at one or more of the locations to desired sizes. 20: A method offorming a side air dam for an electronic equipment installation,comprising: (a) providing an electronic equipment enclosure comprising afour-post frame structure and a plurality of panels supported by theframe structure so as to define an interior, wherein, (i) the four-postframe structure includes a front frame, a rear frame, and at least fourfront-to-back horizontal frame members, the front frame and rear frameeach including a pair of vertical frame members and two side-to-sidecross members, and the front-to-back horizontal frame members connectingthe front and rear frames together, (ii) the plurality of panelsincludes side panels, each side panel being disposed on a side of theelectronic equipment enclosure, and (iii) at least one unit ofside-breathing electronic equipment is installed in the electronicequipment enclosure, the at least one unit of side-breathing electronicequipment having a duct opening facing a side of the electronicequipment enclosure; (b) framing the duct opening with a plurality ofinterconnected horizontal and vertical frame pieces, thereby forming aside air dam framework supported by the frame structure, the horizontaland vertical frame pieces being cut or scored at uniform incrementallocations; (c) cutting or breaking the horizontal and vertical framepieces at one or more of the uniform incremental locations to desiredlengths; and (d) mounting one or more customizable air dam panels to theside air dam framework such that a top-to-bottom partition is createdimmediately adjacent the side-breathing electronic equipment except forthe framed duct opening.